Restricted call: UKRI Proof of Concept (internal deadline: 19th March 2026)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has pre-announced their UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept call, due to open on the 4^th March, to support the commercialisation of research.

This opportunity aims to support and accelerate the development of new or improved technologies, products, processes, and services arising from research activities. Supporting early-to-mid stage commercialisation activities that validate the development of concepts that arose from research, applications are welcomed from across all research disciplines and research councils’ remit (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC and STFC) including cross and multi-disciplinary approaches.

This scheme aims to fund projects that are not eligible for funding applications via existing UKRI funding opportunities or those projects that have been funded by other mechanisms and that now require further de-risking at a larger scale. The programme will not support fundamental or curiosity-driven research, discovery research, the simple extension or continuity of on-going work between research grants, public engagement activities, or the filing of intellectual property, for example, patent, trademark or registered design. The full economic cost (FEC) can be up to £250,000 for 9 months duration (please note this change from the first round) with a minimum of £100,000. UKRI will fund 80% FEC.
Further Information

University Internal selection:

Please note that unlike the first round, there is no expression of interest stage for this call. The University can only submit 4 applications. Therefore, this call will be managed according to the University’s restricted calls procedure.

To participate in the internal selection process, please complete the online form by 19^th March 2026. NB: if asked to log-in, please use your crsid/Raven details.

You will need the following documents and information to complete the online form:

• Applicant name, department and email address
• Project title
• Project summary (maximum 800 words):
  • Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:
    • the user needs and market opportunity your project addresses
    • the aims and objectives and how you are addressing this challenge
    • the proposed route to applications and markets
    • the benefits to potential users or customers
  • And briefly describe how the team has the relevant experience and right balance of skills to deliver the proposed work
• Applicant’s brief CV (maximum 3 pages): DORA principles should be considered when presenting research outputs
• A List of members of the core team and their roles
• Head of Department support letter confirming support for the application

Internal Assessment Criteria:

Please note that the assessment of internal applications will be carried out by a specialist panel with knowledge of Proof of Concept, focussing on the following core funder criteria:

• Opportunity: the project is timely given current trends and has the potential to address a business need, technological challenge, or exploit a market opportunity

• Route to market: how the proposed project progresses the innovation towards its intended users or markets

• Team capability to deliver: the individual or team has the relevant experience and right balance of skills to deliver the proposed work

Important Dates:

UKRI Webinar: 18 March 2026 2:00pm to 3:00pm UK time (registration details TBC when call opens)

Internal selection deadline: 19th March 2026

UKRI Webinar: 25 March 2026 10:00am to 11:00am UK time (registration details TBC when call opens)

UKRI Webinar: 14 April 2026 3:00pm to 4:00pm UK time (registration details TBC when call opens)

Funder deadline: 4pm, 13^th May 2026

 

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Posted on 11/03/2026